Five Things To Know Today

1.  Today is Monday, July 11.  The National Weather Service predicts mostly sunny skies, a high temperature of 81 degrees and a low of 69 tonight. There's a slight chance of rain this evening.

2. Former Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz will speak at the Bethsaida's 2nd Annual Empowering Women Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Friday at the Groton Inn & Suites. Tickets are $50 per person. Bysiewicz will tell her story, along with Channavy Chhay, the executive director of the Socio-Economic Development Center for Southeast Asians.

3.  The award winners from Groton's July 4th parade will be invited to the Town Council meeting next week, according to the town manager's report. The winners are: Junior Colonials Fife and Drum Corps, best use of 'proud to be an American'; US Submarines Veterans, Inc., most patriotic; Society for Creative Anachronism, best costumes; Cromwell Grenadiers Fife & Drum Corps, best music; Galaxy Skating Club, best youth participation; North Stonington Agricultural Fair, best float; Beech Brook Equine Rescue, judges choice.

4.  Groton paid $263,000 in worker's compensation claims in the 2011 fiscal year, according to an administrative services report by human resources. The claims included payments to 52 town employees and 55 board of education employees. In April, the the town paid about $33,000 in claims for four employees.

5.  The University of Connecticut at Avery Point will hold a symposium this fall on the 10th anniversary of 9-11. The event will include presentations by Steven Silliman, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, Anu Matthew, professor of art and art history at the University of Rhode Island and Steve Flynn, president of the Center for National Policy. For more information, call (860) 405-9007.